Cheat Narrows & Lower Canyon
🏔 Scenic River
Preston / Tucker Co. · 78 mi · Class III–V
323CFS/ 5.36 ft
Below Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 1500–5000 CFS · USGS #03070500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
West Virginia Scenic Rivers Program · Monongahela National Forest
The Cheat River drops through the Cheat Canyon on one of the most iconic big-water whitewater runs in the eastern U.S. Rapids like High Falls of Cheat, Coliseum, and Pete Morgan draw intermediate-to-expert boaters every spring. Above the canyon, the Cheat Narrows offers classic Class III–IV intermediate water, and the river supports an important smallmouth bass fishery.
Trip sections
Cheat Narrows — Albright to Jenkinsburg, Class III–IV, 11 mi
Cheat Canyon — Albright to Cheat Lake, Class IV–V, 11 mi classic
Upper Cheat — Parsons to St. George, Class II–III, family float
Outfitters
Rivers Expeditions
Cheat Canyon whitewater trips from Albright
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
See 10 years of flow patterns for this river — historical analysis is a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
Your Optimal Range
Set your personal optimal CFS window per river — custom ranges are a Pro feature.Upgrade to Pro →
Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.